A family in Henham, Essex are spitting feathers after their much-loved family pet flew the nest.

Skipper, an African grey parrot with a bright red tail, has been in the Moore family for 25 years, but the feathered felon made his break for freedom on August 7th when a routine exercise went wrong, reports the Herts and Essex Observer.

Sharon Moore, 46, of Wrights Piece, told the news provider: "We were putting the cage in the car when the bottom fell off and Skipper flew away."

Initially, it seemed that Skipper wanted to remain close to home. Ms Moore said: "He was calling to me from the tops of the trees the next night."

But since then, the escapologist has plucked up the courage to fly further from home.

Ms Moore added: "The day after, I saw him high in the sky. He seems to be enjoying himself."

Skipper's talents include singing Pop Goes the Weasel and whistling and clicking.

The news comes as animal-keepers at Calderglen Zoo in Wales attempt to find the owner of a parrot which was handed in to them by a local resident, reported the East Kilbride News.